The Academy offers the highest quality of dance instruction. It provides a nurturing and structured environment that encourages individuality, creative expression and an appreciation for the art of dance. Our students learn self worth, self expression and self confidence. The Academy is known for its commitment to Quality and not Quantity by keeping the class sizes to a minimum.

The Academy offers observation windows for Parents to observe their child’s classes at anytime. The instructors are certified as well as highly trained. Expert instruction is offered to both students who are training for a professional career in dance, as well as to those who are interested in simply experiencing the joy and benefits of dance training. The Academy is known for its excellence in technique, proper alignment and style.

The Academy is the only dance school in the Yadkin Valley to be affiliated with the nationally recognized Dance Educators of America Certification Program. Rehearsals and performances with ADAAP Professional Alumni allow students the wonderful opportunity to work closely with other dancers and give the students an exclusive glimpse into the professional world of dance.

The Academy has trained students who have gone on to study at University of The North Carolina School of the Arts, North Carolina Dance Theatre, The Juilliard School, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, American Ballet Theater, School of American Ballet, Hungarian Ballet Academy in Budapest, Kirov Academy, Gelsey Kirkland Ballet Academy, Jacobs Pillow, Joffrey, American Dance Festival, Tap Kids-New York Stage Origionals, North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, UNCSA Preparatory Program, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, LA Dance Project, Yow Dance Company, Jacob Jonas the Company, National YoungArts, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, and Alonzo King Lines Ballet and many other leading American dance institutions.

The Academy’s Dance Company participates in 2 professional Dance Competitions per year. Our thoughts on Competition are that they are place dancers and teachers attend to learn more about themselves and to admire the great work of others. It's a place to learn how much they have attained technically and artistically, and to see how far they've come in their goals at becoming better at their art. Dance is not a sport to be "won" like a football game. There are no national rankings and when a dancer is ready to enter the professional world, nobody cares what competition or convention they've attended.

Dance is a wonderful art form and an expression of beauty to be admired, whether it is our company or any other company.

Executive & Artistic Leadership

Pamela Myers Wurdeman began her dance training at the early age of 2 studying initially under her mother, Faye Myers, and continuing on to train at the University of the North Carolina School of the Arts and Appalachian State University. After a very successful career in Dallas, Texas and Los Angeles, California, in Film, Video, Television and Print, working as a Dancer, Model, and Actress, she returned to her hometown to raise her family.

In 1987, Pam opened her first studio, after teaching for other studios throughout the country for 14 years, and became the lead choreographer and Director of The Academy of Dance Arts and Performance of Elkin. She is a Certified Instructor through Dance Educators of America and an active member of numerous Performing Arts programs throughout the United States. Pam is a member of the First Baptist Church of Elkin. She is a mother of two sons, Matthew and Chatham Wurdeman, as well as a proud grandmother to three grandsons - Wilder Taft, Graham Douglas, Eli David - and granddaughter Griffin Gray Wurdeman.

Pam feels truly blessed to have the opportunity and knowledge to train and prepare young dancers for a future in the professional dance world. She has many Alumni working professionally Coast to Coast as well as Internationally in the industry today.

Sydney Davis, 16 years old

Bio coming soon

Tybee Sikes, 15 years old

Bio coming soon

Cama Ball, 16 years old

Bio coming soon

Madalyn Money, 11 years old

Bio coming soon

Guest Teachers and Choreographers

Each year the Academy of Dance Arts and Performance invites a number of regional, national and internationally recognized guest teachers and performers to teach regular and master classes as well as set choreography for their students.

Anthony Bryant began his interdisciplinary dance training at The Academy of Dance Arts and Performance under the direction of Pamela (Myers) Wurdeman. His extensive training includes: Boston Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet Academy, Dance Theater of Harlem, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, The Edge, and The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation.

Anthony holds honors degrees from The University of the North Carolina School of the Arts, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC, and The Juilliard School, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. He has traveled nationally and internationally in touring productions of Disney’s The Lion King and Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan. His dancing has been seen on numerous television network shows including, So You Think You Can Dance, Dance War, Conan, Rosie’s Variety Special and The Juilliard Centennial Celebration. He has been a featured dancer for several years with Career Transition For Dancers yearly NYC Rolex Gala Event at New York City Center.

Anthony currently pursues musical endeavors and freelances in NYC and Los Angeles. He is represented by GTA Dance Agency and Royalty Rope Inc. Management and Production, both based in Los Angeles. Anthony is currently a company member of L.A. Dance Project where he performs nationally as well as internationally.

Taylor Hartzog has been training in jazz, ballet, and tap for 17 years. She studied tap under Gene Medler for 6 years and was a member of the Chapel Hill based, internationally touring North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble for 5 years. She apprenticed with the show Tap Kids under the direction of Lisa Hopkins. Most recently, Taylor studied jazz and ballet under Pamela Myers Wurdeman.

Currently, Taylor is a member of the UNC Dance Team and a student at UNC Chapel Hill. She has taught several workshops and master classes throughout North Carolina and is currently on staff at Starpath Dance Academy where she teaches tap and kinderballet during the school year. As a high school student, Taylor was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Beta Club as well as the Vice President of the student body. At UNC, she participates in multiple dance clubs and enjoys the volunteer opportunities afforded to her by the Dance Team.

Ashley Lindsey is from Raleigh, NC, where he received his early dance training from Christy Curtis, owner and artistic director of CC & CO Dance Complex. While under her direction he had the pleasure of working with such choreographers as Jason Parsons, Mia Michaels, Lauren Adams and Suzi Taylor. In 2007 Ashley graduated from the University North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). During his time at UNCSA he performed works by David Parsons, Jose Limon, Teri and Oliver Steele, and BJ Sullivan. Shortly after graduating UNCSA, Ashley joined the Limon Dance Company. He has since performed throughout the United States, Japan, Switzerland ,China, Italy, Hungary and Mexico. Ashley has also had the pleasure to guest performing with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Defero Dance Collective, VIA Dance Collaborative, and Jessica Gaynor Dance Company.

Additional professional achievements include performing with The Wes Veldink Movement, The Inside Out Festival at Jacob's Pillow, the Joyce Theater's Evening of the Stars, The Bermuda Festival for the Performing Arts, and the feature film "Bolden"; choreographed by four time Tony award winner Hinton Battle. Ashley has taught at UNCSA, Duke University, Elon University, Jose Limon Dance Workshop. Adrenaline Remix, As well as workshops in Tokyo and Italy. Additionally he has enjoyed teaching at numerous studios and intensives both domestically and abroad.

As a choreographer, he has had the honor of creating works on numerous companies and schools through out the US and abroad. His work has received top honors from a variety of dance organizations. His work was featured as part of the Bermuda festival for the arts, North Carolina Dance alliance and he recently created “Bind” for the North Carolina School of the Arts. Ashley is a 2013 Capezio Ace Awards Finalist. He is Currently in the process of creating “ The Weight of a Moment” for the Ace awards competition.

Addi Loving is a 16 year old junior who attended ADAAP from 2010-2014. Currently living in St. Louis, Addi does not have a studio, but she practices independently. Although she does other styles of dance, her passion is tap dance. She travels the country to do tap festivals, where she learns from the best professional tap dancers. She is alumni of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble, company member from 2012-2016.

Addi is currently an apprentice for the off broadway show Tap Kids, and most recently performed with Reverb Tap Company at the EMMYS Governor’s Ball. She would like to say thank you to Mrs. Pam to teaching her tap and opening her up to the many things dance can offer!

Caitlin Lovette began her dance training in Statesville, NC at age three. After fifteen years of competitive dance experience at the regional and national levels, she continued studying dance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she was a member of the Spartan G College Dance Team. She performed as a background dancer for Kool and the Gang at the televised 2010 Orange Bowl.

Caitlin held the title of Miss Statesville 2011 and Miss Metrolina 2013, and subsequently competed in the Miss North Carolina pageant, and brought home a talent award for her contemporary dance both times. She has studied under prestigious choreographers all over the East Coast, from New York City to Miami, Florida and is trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, pointe, contemporary, modern and belly dance. She is currently a student at North Carolina School of the Arts for contemporary dance. Caitlin aspires to become a professional dancer and to continue with her love of teaching dance.

Allie Parsons began her dance training at the age of two at The Academy of Dance Arts and Performance under the direction of Pamela (Myers) Wurdeman. She has trained in all disciplines of dance with her focus concentrating in ballet, both classical and contemporary. In 2007 and 2008 Allie danced the role of "Clara" in Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular in New York City.

Allie has trained on scholarship at The Hungarian National Ballet in Budapest Hungary, School of American Ballet, Chautauqua Institute School of Dance, Ellison Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theater and The Juilliard School. Allie won the Gold Medal in the World Ballet Competition and at the YAGP NYC Finals (2008). Allie represents Gaynor Minden as an Ascending Artist, a model for tutu.com, Brian Mengini Photography, and Capezio. She has been featured in “Dance Spirit Magazine” & “Dancer Magazine”.

Allie is an advocate for Hope Dances an organization for Autism Awareness. She loves sharing her passion and love for dance with everyone through performing, teaching, & choreography. Allie currently is an apprentice to the Winston Salem Festival Ballet Company.

Mary Anna Pendry began her dance training at the age of 4. She has trained in the disciplines of Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics and Floor Gymnastics. She has participated in numerous conventions and competitions, taking many top ten and overall high score awards as a soloist as well as company member.

Mary Anna is currently a student at Appalachian State University working toward her BFA in graphic design. For the past three years she has been an Instructor and the Contemporary choreographer at the Academy of Dance Arts and Performance. Her choreography has won many top ten and overall high scoring awards at Dance and Performing Arts Competitions throughout North Carolina.